Shackling His Tongue

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I am frustrated and annoyed by his ticking, or perhaps it should be labeled the 'tocking' By the never-ending tongue wagging clicking in the language better known as 'clocking' Must Grandfather Time command my life? He so rudely continues without a thought that his hammer yammering rhythm of strife mocks the beating pulse of my human heart What a wonderful fantasy my life would be if for one day I'd not hear his unrelenting beat I'd be stress free if time would stand still for me for without his gonging life would be so sweet In solace of night, I seek sleep and close my eyes in need of escape and retreat from earthly chore but I cannot find a moment of tranquil paradise for his insistent knelling peals out once more Each quarter hour his mallet chimes out to me but his clappers sing off key in monotonous song Not a lyrical lullaby, but a torturous rhapsody whose tireless verses antagonize me far too long I'm tenacious to put an end to his wagging tongue and shackle the swinging motion of his pendulum Each hour of the day and night would go by unsung Being silenced is the price paid by the meddlesome

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Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/20/2024 1:28:00 PM

Fave!

Lin Lane
Date: 5/21/2024 5:13:00 AM

Thanks, Kim.

Tania Kitchin

Date: 5/19/2024 3:46:00 AM

Lin, a wonderful poem, love the metaphor of the grandfather clock's ticking time away and in life our time is limited. We are all aging as Father time tick tocks every day. I love clocks and own two grandfather clocks and one grandmother one. A fav for me. -Hugs

Lin Lane
Date: 5/19/2024 8:10:00 AM

That clock can symbolize lots of annoying things... and some people! Thanks, Tania. You're probably used to the tick tocking. Thanks for the fave.

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 5/18/2024 4:24:00 PM

outstanding rhyme poem, Lin. We inherited my aunt/uncle's mantle clock that gongs every 15 minutes. At first, I found the sound annoying, reminding me of how time slips away. At night it reminded me of my bouts with insomnia. You're so right--those clocks are wagging tongues that should be shackled! Your poem was delightful, fluid, and true. Loved it. Have a great evening, Sara

Lin Lane
Date: 5/19/2024 8:09:00 AM

It was not my idea to get that clock, so it really annoyed me. Thanks a bunch for your experience with one, Sara.

David Kavanagh

Date: 5/18/2024 10:36:00 AM

Ticking, tocking, clicking, clocking, I cannot stand a clock ticking, when trying to sleep, so it usually ends up with a pillow over it lol, at least I can control time that way, unfortunately Grandfather clock time is a different beast altogether and probably needs a sledgehammer, but indeed I do get the bigger picture and messages about the inexorability of time and the toll it takes on us all, a wonderful poem with a lot of depth below the fun facade of the clock, cheers David

Lin Lane
Date: 5/18/2024 2:16:00 PM

Thank you for finding time to read this one and leave your thoughts, David. When my son was 7, he heard me complaining about the quarter hour ringing. Being a good child, he decided to open the glass case and remove the pendulum. He gave it a good try, but it was heavier and more cumbersome than he imagined. Broke the glass and cut his arm, but he was so proud that he stopped it from swinging.